~ Welcome to V.A.N. Namboodiri's blog…

Monthly Archives: October 2016

60 years have passed since Kerala State was formed on 1st November 1956. 60 years is nothing in the life span of a state. But during these years, it has achieved many firsts, like in literacy, health and social commitments to the people. At the same time, there are weakness that have got to be removed.

The first Ministry under Com.EMS Namboodiripad was one of the best governments Kerala has seen with its progressive legislations and correct direction. Let us hope that the present LDF Government under Com.Pinarayi Vijayan will continue the forward march started by the first Communist ministry in 1957.

Share this:

Like this:

I am completing 25 years of Union service at Delhi, a long period indeed! It was in the first week of November 1991 that myself and Com.Moni Bose reached Delhi to take over charge of CHQ AITEEU Class III, after the historic victory in the Bhopal All India Conference held in the last week of October. Veteran leader late Com. K.Adinarayana, former Secretary General of NFPE and many other leaders were there to receive us. AITEE Union changed in to AITEE Union(N), and then after formation of BSNL and merger of about 8 unions, BSNL Employees Union was born on 21st March 2001.

BSNL Employees Union has grown as the biggest Union in BSNL and the major recognised union. It has settled many major issues of the Telecom Workers. It has defended BSNL from the attacks of the government and stopped VRC/CRS, Disinvestment and unbundling of the priceless copper cables from privatising with the joint efforts of all the unions/associations. Two major wage revisions have taken place which largely benefitted the workers. Better promotional prospects have been ensured. One more wage revision is to take place. Other important demands are also there. BSNL Employees Union and its leaders and workers are capable of dealing and settling them.

During these 25 years,I had the opportunity of meeting thousands of workers all over the country, discussing with them, receiving their hospitality, love and affection. I thank all these comrades!

I thank the comrades of Delhi, the leaders and workers of CHQ and others who made my life and work enjoyable and fruitful and who were with me in thick and thin.

Let us continue marching ahead in the path shown to us by our great leaders:

“Unity for Struggle, Struggle for Unity and Unity and Struggle for Progress!”

Like this:

Government is busy with selling its ‘Family Silver’. The Cabinet on 18th October has decided to disinvest and or Strategically sell about two dozen profitable as also non-profitable PSUs. The Cabinet also decided to close HMT Tractor Division. The HMT Tractor employees have not been receiving salary regularly since July 2014 and there was no increase in wages for years.

Selling the “Family Silver” has started in right earnest under the Modi Government. Tata and Ambani were the favourites of the UPA Government. Who are the favourites of Modi Government? Adani or Ambani or both?

An important judgment has been pronounced by the Supreme Court on ‘Equal Pay for Equal Work.” A Bench of Justices J.S.Khehar, and S.A.Bobde said the principle of equal pay for equal work constitutes a clear and unambiguous right vested in every employee, whether engaged on regular or temporary basis.

The Bench further said ” In our considered view, it is fallacious to determine artificial parameters to deny fruits of labour. An employee engaged for the same work, can not be paid less than another… Certainly not, in a welfare state.Such an action besides, demeaning, strikes at the very foundation of human dignity.”

The Bench continued:”Any act of paying less wages as compared to others similarly situated, constitutes an act of exploitative enslavement, emerging out of a domineering position. Undoubtedly, the action is oppressive, suppressive, and co-ersive as it compels involuntary subjugation.”

The judgement is establishing the right of the workers and their demand : Equal Pay for Equal Work”. This is a great judgment indeed!The government and the Management should implement. ( With inputs from “Times of India”, 27-10-2016)

Like this:

Comrades V.A.N.Namboodiri, President and Animesh Mitra, Secretary General, BSNLCCWF met the Chief Labour Commissioner Shri Anil Kumar Nayak today, 27th October 2016, and presented the issues of the casual and contract Labour in BSNL. The representatives of the Federation brought to the notice of the CLC that neither minimum wages are being paid, nor EPF and ESI implemented in many places, despite clear government and CMD BSNL orders in this respect. CLC stated that he had issued instructions to the State labour commissioners in this respect earlier and will also send a reminder to ensure that the labor laws are got implemented. The case of implementing the Group D pay scales for the casual labour was also pointed out. . The representatives submitted their memorandum on the Gazette Notification on Minimum wage which proposed Rs. 350 per day. BSNLCCWF demanded Rs.650 per day and also upgradation of categories considering the number of years etc. CLC gave a patient hearing to the representatives.

Share this:

Like this:

As per call of Forum and other unions, massive lunch hour demonstrations have been organised today, 27th October 2016 all over India against formation of Tower company bifurcating BSNL. In Delhi the demonstration took place in the corporate office premises participated by hundreds.
Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri Patron BSNLEU presided. Coms. C.Singh (NFTE), Swapan Chakraborty (BSNLEU) Prahlad Rai (AIBSNLEA), Dahia (SNEA), N.D.Ram
(SEWA)V.P.Singh and others addressed.
They called upon the workers to be prepared for serious struggle to defend and save BSNL.

The Central Secretariat of the BSNL Casual and Contract Workers Federation held at New Delhi has decided to organise a Parliament March on 22nd February 2017 focusing on the major demands of the BSNL Casual Contract Workers. Thousands of workers are expected to participate. The Circle Secretaries of BSNLCCWF are requested to ensure maximum participation and as also directed by the CHQ. The demands include regularisation of casual contract workers, implementation of minimum wage and social security measures like EPF, ESI etc. The participants should bring flags, banners etc. Detailed circular is being sent by BSNLCCWF CHQ. BSNLEU Circle/District Secretaries are requested to give all assistance and leadership to the programme.

Share this:

Like this:

A largely attended meeting of the telecom workers was held at CTO Sabhaghar at 14.00 hours on 26th October 2016 to pay condolence to late Com. H.L.Makkar, former Vice-President of BSNLEU and President of NTR Circle. The participants paid homage by placing flowers to the photo of Com. Makkar. Com.R.S.Chauhan, Circle Secretary welcomed all the participants and mentioned about the life of Com.Makkar, which was completely dedicated to the cause of the workers. Com.V.A.N.Namboodiri, Patron BSNLEU mentioned the great contribution of Com. Makkar to the telecom workers and also his close association for about 25 years in Delhi. Shri Veer Kamal Chopra, CGM NTR, Com. P.Abhimanyu, GS BSNLEU, K.R.Yadav, Vice-President, Swapan Chakraborty, Dy. GS BSNLEU, R.S.Sagar, CS ALTTC, Munshilal, S.S.Tomar, BSNLMS and other leaders addressed conveyed their homage to the leader.